Smt.Manju Saxena vs Shri Hemant Sharma on 21 July, 2026

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    Delhi District Court

    Smt.Manju Saxena vs Shri Hemant Sharma on 21 July, 2026

         COPY OF THE JUDGMENT OF CONVICTION IN
                            COMPLIANCE WITH
    
    
       "SUHAS CHAKMA VS. UNION OF INDIA & ORS" W.P
                                    (C)1082/20
    
    
           COVERSHEET TO THE COPY OF JUDGMENT
    
    
    The convict has been informed that the convict may avail free
    legal aid facilities for pursuing higher remedies. The
    following Authority may be contacted for seeking appropriate
    guidance:
    
    
    District Legal Services Authority, North-East District
    
    
    Address of the Authority: Room No. 35, Karkardooma
    Courts, Delhi
    
    
    Phone Number: 9667992794, 011-22101335
                                                              Digitally signed
                                                              by SANJANA
                                                              KASANA
    E-mail: northeast-dlsa@nicin                 SANJANA      Date:
                                                 KASANA       2026.07.21
                                                              16:35:43
                                                              +0530
    
    
                                                 (Signature of Presiding
                                                         Officer)
    
    
                                                       Date:-21.07.2026
    
    
    
    CC NO. 201/2022                   Page 1                (Sanjana Kasana)
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma                      JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD
     DLNE020003962022
    
    
                       IN THE COURT OF MS. SANJANA KASANA,
                          JMFC, N.I. ACT, NE, KKD, NEW DELHI
    
    CC No.    : 201/2022
    U/s       : 138 N. I. Act
    PS        : Bhajan pura
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma
    
                                    JUDGMENT
    
    1. CCNo.                                  :   201/2022
    2. Date of institution of the case        :   25.01.2022
    3. Name of complainant                    :   Manju Saxena
                                                  w/o Sh. Ram
                                                  Prakash Saxena
                                                  R/o H.No.D-250A,
                                                  Galino.7, Bhajanpura
                                                  Delhi-110053
    4. Name of accused, parentage
    and address                               :   Hemant Sharma
                                                  s/o Sh.Chander
                                                  Shekhar
                                                  R/o K-27/A3, Street
                                                  No.27, West Ghonda,
                                                  Dellhi-110053
    
    5. Offence complained of                  :    138 N. I. Act
    6. Plea of accused                        :   Accused pleaded
                                                  not guilty
    7. Final order                            :   Conviction
    8. Date on which order was                :   16.07.2026
       reserved
    
    9. Date of pronouncement                  :   21.07.2026
                                                                              SANJANA
                                                                              KASANA
                                                                              Digitally signed by
                                                                              SANJANA KASANA
                                                                              Date: 2026.07.21
    CC NO. 201/2022                  Page 2                (Sanjana Kasana)   16:35:56 +0530
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma                     JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD
               FACTUAL BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
    
    

    1. Vide this judgment, this Court shall dispose off the
    present complaint case instituted by the Complainant invoking
    the provisions of Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act,
    1881(as in after referred to as NI Act).

    2. The facts giving rise to the instant complaint case, as
    per the complainant, may be summarized as hereafter: That the
    complainant and the accused were having friendly relations since
    long. That the accused had taken friendly loan of Rs.8,60,000/-
    from the complainant on different dates i.e. on 23.09.2019 (Rs. 3
    lacs), 17.10.2019 (Rs. 3 lacs), 20.01.2020 (Rs.10,000),
    11.11.2020 (Rs. 2 lacs) and on 24.04.2021 (Rs.50,000). At the
    time of taking said loan the accused had executed receipts and
    acknowledged the said loan amount. The accused had repaid total
    Rs.2,59,500/- on different dates and an amount of Rs.6,00,500/-
    remains to be paid to the complainant. That at the time of taking
    loan of Rs. 3 lacs on 24.09.2019, the accused has issued cheque
    bearing no. 053751 dt. 23.09.2020 for Rs. 3 lacs drawn on Axis
    Bank Ltd. Yamuna Vihar Delhi and accused had also issued
    another cheque bearing no. 053750 dt. 23.09.2020 of Rs.3 lacs in
    favour of the accused but the both cheques were not presented by
    the complainant for the encashment. That at the time of taking
    loan on 11.11.2020, the accused in discharge of his liability
    SANJANA
    issued cheque bearing no. 000012 dt. 12.11.2021 for Rs.2 lacs
    KASANA
    drawn on HDFC Bank, Rohtak Road, National Highway 10,
    District Jhajjar, Bahadurgarh, Haryana. That in discharge of his Digitally signed
    by SANJANA
    KASANA
    Date: 2026.07.21
    CC NO. 201/2022 Page 3 (Sanjana Kasana) 16:36:10 +0530
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD
    part liability, the accused had also issued cheque bearing no.
    053748 dt. 12.11.2021 for Rs.1 lac drawn on Axis Bank Ltd.,
    Yamuna Vihar, Delhi in favour of the complainant. Accused had
    assured that aforesaid cheques would be honoured on its
    presentation by his banker. That when complainant presented the
    abovesaid cheques in question for encashment, same were
    returned unpaid with remarks “funds insufficient” on cheque no.
    000012 and “Drawer Signature Differs” on cheque no. 053748
    vide returning memo dt. 20.11.2021. That when accused did not
    pay the said amount after repeated requests, complainant issued a
    legal demand notice dated 10.12.2021 calling upon the accused
    to pay the amount of the aforesaid cheques within the stipulated
    period but the accused did not make the payment within the
    statutory period, hence the present complaint.

    SPONSORED

    PROCEEDINGS BEFORE COURT

    3. The complainant tendered his evidence by way of
    affidavit and relied upon following evidences:-

    a)     Evidence affidavit                         Ex. CW1/A
    b)     Copies of acknowledgment receipts          Ex.CW1/1(colly)
    c)     Copy of Bank Statement                     Ex. CW1/2
    d)     Cheque no. 000012 dt. 12.11.2021           Ex. CW1/3
    e)     Cheque no. 053748 dt. 12.11.2021           Ex. CW1/4
    f)     Cheque return memos dt. 20.11.2021         Ex. CW1/5 &
                                                      Ex. CW1/6               SANJANA
    g)     Legal notice dt. 10.12.2021                Ex. CW1/7               KASANA
    h)     Postal receipt dt. 10.12.2021              Ex. CW1/8
                                                                              Digitally signed
                                                                              by SANJANA
                                                                              KASANA
    CC NO. 201/2022                 Page 4                 (Sanjana Kasana)   Date: 2026.07.21
                                                                              16:36:21 +0530
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma                     JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD
     i)     Internet tracking report                   Ex. CW1/9
    j)     Copy of cheque no. 053750                  Ex. CW1/11
    k)     Copy of cheque no.053751                   Ex. CW1/12
    l)     Reply of legal notice                      Ex. CW1/13
    
    
    

    4. Upon appreciation of pre-summoning evidence,
    accused was summoned for an offence punishable under Section
    138
    of NI Act and notice under Section 251, Code of Criminal
    Procedure, 1973 (herein after referred to as Cr.P.C.) was served
    upon accused on 15.07.2022 to which he pleaded not guilty and
    claimed trial. The accused took the defence that he know the
    complainant through one of his acquaintance. He had taken the
    loan of Rs. 8 lacs in part payment (Rs. 3 lacs twice through
    complainant and Rs. 2 lacs once through complainant’s husband
    account, Ram Prakash Saxena). He had repaid Rs. 3,93,500/- to
    the complainant, some through cash and some through
    NEFT/RTGS. The cheque bearing no. 000012 was given by him
    for the payment of loan amount. The cheque bearing no. 053748
    got misplaced and the complaint regarding the same has been
    made in his bank to stop payment. He does not know how the
    cheque no. 053748 reached the complainant. Complainant has
    misused his cheques. He want to settle the matter. He does not
    owe the liability towards the complainant qua cheque in question.
    Accused further admitted his signature on cheque no. 000012 and
    the other detains of the cheque being filled by him. However, he
    denied his signature on another cheque no. 053748 and the other
    details of the said cheque being filled by him.

    SANJANA
    KASANA
    Digitally signed by
    SANJANA KASANA
    CC NO. 201/2022 Page 5 (Sanjana Kasana) Date: 2026.07.21
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD 16:36:32 +0530

    5. Thereafter, on oral request accused was granted
    opportunity to cross examine the complainant as well as his
    witnesses, if any, under Section 145 (2) of NI Act vide order
    dated 15.07.2022.

    6. The complainant has only examined himself as
    CW1. In the post summoning evidence, the complainant (CW1)
    has adopted his pre-summoning evidence. The
    complainant/CW1was cross examined by the Ld. Counsel for
    accused. CE was closed vide order dated 29.08.2024.

    7. Accused was, thereafter, examined U/s 281 r/w Sec
    313 Criminal Procedure code, 1872 on 29.08.2024 wherein entire
    incriminating evidence was put to him. The accused took defence
    that he had only given one signed cheque of Rs.2 lacs. Accused
    had denied particulars of the said cheque being filled by him and
    also denied his signature on other cheque. Further, he had stated
    that he had already returned all the money and had no liability
    towards the complainant.

    8. Accused has examined himself as DW1 U/s. 315
    Cr.P.C. Thereafter, DE was closed vide order dt. 03.11.2025 and
    the matter was fixed for final arguments.

    9. I have considered the rival submissions of the parties
    and perused the entire evidence led by the parties and the
    SANJANA
    material available on record. KASANA
    Digitally signed by
    SANJANA KASANA
    Date: 2026.07.21
    CC NO. 201/2022 Page 6 (Sanjana Kasana) 16:36:45 +0530
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD
    FINAL ARGUMENTS

    10. During the course of final arguments, complainant
    argued that the accused had taken online friendly loan for Rs.
    8,60,000/- and out of the said amount had returned only a sum of
    Rs. 2,59,000/- to the complainant. He had further argued that
    since accused had admitted his liability in his reply to legal
    demand notice, he shall be held liable for offence u/s 138NI Act.
    Ld. counsel for the complainant has argued that all the
    requirements of section 138 NI act have been fulfilled by the
    complainant in the present case and he has proved his case
    beyond reasonable doubt. Thus, all the ingredients of section 138
    of NI act have been duly satisfied and presumption under section
    139
    of NI act is drawn in favour of the complainant. It is further
    argued that complainant and accused had friendly relations. He
    further argued that no complaint was filed by accused regarding
    misuse/loss of cheque in question. It was also argued that the
    accused has failed to raise any probable defence thereby
    rebutting the presumption under section 139 NI act. The counsel
    for the complainant concluded by stating that the accused should
    be held guilty of the offence punishable under section 138 NI act.

    11. Per contra, Ld. Counsel for the accused has argued
    that the offence is not made out as the accused has no liability to
    pay the cheque amount as the accused has already returned the
    pending amount. Further, Accused has also denied his signatures
    SANJANA
    and filling of other particulars of the cheque no 053748. It has KASANA
    been submitted that the accused did not owe any liability towards Digitally signed by
    SANJANA KASANA
    CC NO. 201/2022 Page 7 (Sanjana Kasana) Date: 2026.07.21
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD 16:37:00 +0530
    the complainant and he has been successful in rebutting the
    presumption under section 139 NI Act and has raised a probable
    defence in his favour. Therefore, the accused is not guilty for the
    offence punishable under section 138 NI act.

    INGREDIENTS OF OFFENCE AND DISCUSSION

    12. Before dwelling into the facts of the present case, it
    would be apposite to discuss the legal standards required to be
    met by both sides. In order to establish the offence under Section
    138
    of NI Act, the prosecution must fulfill all the essential
    ingredients of the offence. Perusal of the bare provision reveals
    the following necessary ingredients of the offence:-

    First Ingredient: The cheque was drawn by a
    person on an account maintained by him for
    payment of money and the same is presented for
    payment within a period of 3 months from the date
    on which it is drawn or within the period of its
    validity;

    Second Ingredient: The cheque was drawn by the
    drawer for discharge of any legally enforceable
    debt or other liability;

    Third Ingredient: The cheque was returned
    unpaid by the bank due to either insufficiency of
    funds in the account to honour the cheque or that
    it exceeds the amount arranged to be paid from
    that account on an agreement made with that
    bank;

    Fourth Ingredient: A demand of the said amount
    has been made by the payee or holder in due
    course of the cheque by a notice in writing given
    to the drawer within thirty days of the receipt of
    information of the dishonour of cheque from the
    bank;

    Fifth Ingredient: The drawer fails to make
    payment of the said amount of money within
    fifteen days from the date of receipt of notice.
    It is only when all the aforementioned ingredients SANJANA
    KASANA
    are satisfied that the person who had drawn the cheque can be
    Digitally signed by
    SANJANA KASANA
    CC NO. 201/2022 Page 8 (Sanjana Kasana) Date: 2026.07.21
    16:37:10 +0530
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD
    deemed to have committed an offence under Section 138 of the
    NI Act

    13. The accused can only be held guilty of the offence
    under Section 138 NI Act if the above-mentioned ingredients are
    proved by the complainant co-extensively. Additionally, the
    conditions stipulated under Section 142 NI Act have to be
    fulfilled.

    PROVING OF INGREDIENTS

    14. Notably, there is no dispute qua the proof of first,
    third and fifth ingredient. The complainant had proved the
    original cheques vide Ex.CW1/3 & CW1/4 which the accused
    has not disputed as being drawn on the account of the accused. It
    was not disputed that the cheque in question were presented
    within its validity period. The cheque in question were returned
    unpaid vide return memos Ex. CW1/5 & Ex. CW1/6 which has
    also not been disputed. With regard to the proving of fourth
    ingredient i.e. the service of legal demand notice, the accused has
    accepted the receipt of the same. Moreover, in view of the
    presumption u/s 27 of the General Clauses Act, 1897, Ex. CW1/7
    to CW1/9 (legal notice, postal receipt and tracking report)
    alongwith the ratio laid down in the case of “C. C. Alavi Haji Vs.
    Palapetty Mohd. & Anr
    2007 AIR SCW 3578, I am of the
    considered opinion that the fourth ingredient of the offence
    stands proved. The fifth ingredient as such the same is deemed to
    be proved that no payment has been made after issuance of legal SANJANA
    demand notice.
    KASANA
    Digitally signed by
    SANJANA KASANA
    CC NO. 201/2022 Page 9 (Sanjana Kasana) Date: 2026.07.21
    16:37:18 +0530
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD
    RAISING OF PRESUMPTION

    15. The accused has admitted the signatures on the
    cheque bearing no 000012 in his notice u/s 251 r/w 294 CrPC
    and statement u/s 313 Cr.PC. However, he denied his signatures
    on cheque bearing no 053748 in his notice u/s 251 r/w 294 CrPC
    and statement u/s 313 Cr.PC.

    16. As per the scheme of the NI Act, once the accused
    admits signature on the cheque in question, certain presumptions
    are drawn, which result in shifting of onus. Section 118(a) of the
    NI Act lays down the presumption that every negotiable
    instrument was made or drawn for consideration. Another
    presumption is enumerated in Section 139 of NI Act laying down
    the presumption that the holder of the cheque received it for the
    discharge, in whole or part, of any debt or other liability.

    17. The combined effect of these two provisions is a
    presumption that the cheque was drawn for consideration and
    given by the accused for the discharge of debt or other liability.

    Both the sections use the expression “shall”, which makes it
    imperative for the court to raise the presumptions, once the
    foundational facts required for the same are proved. Reliance is
    placed upon the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court, Hiten
    P. Dalal vs. Bratindranath Banerjee
    (2001) 6 SCC 16, Kumar
    Exports vs. Sharma Carpets
    (2009) 2 SCC 513 and Bir Singh
    vs. Mukesh Kumar
    (2019) 4 SCC 197.

    SANJANA
    KASANA
    Digitally signed by
    SANJANA KASANA
    CC NO. 201/2022 Page 10 (Sanjana Kasana) Date: 2026.07.21
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD 16:37:27 +0530

    18. Therefore, in the instant case, since the accused has
    admitted his signatures on the cheque bearing no. 000012 Ex.
    CW1/3, the aforementioned statutory presumptions would be
    raised in favour of the complainant regarding the fact that the
    impugned cheque has been drawn for consideration and issued by
    the accused in discharge of legally enforceable debt. However, so
    far as cheque bearing no. 053748 Ex. CW1/4, is considered, the
    abovesaid statutory presumption would not be raised in favor of
    complainant as the accused has denied his signatures on the said
    cheque. Therefore, the burden still lies upon complainant to
    prove his case as far as cheque bearing no. 053748 Ex. CW1/4,
    is considered.

    19. In the instant case, the complainant seeks to enforce
    liability upon the accused on the ground of having granted a
    friendly loan of Rs. 8,60,000/-, the cheques in question being
    issued by the accused in discharge of the part liability in favour
    of the complainant. However, a presumption as envisaged u/s 118
    and 139 of the Negotiable Instruments Act is not attracted in
    favour of the Complainant as the accused has denied his
    signatures on one of the cheque in question ie. Ex.CW1/4

    20. In the present case, the accused has admitted that the
    cheque in question belongs to him, but denied his signatures on
    cheque no. 053748 Ex. CW1/4, However, other than bare denial,
    accused has not led any oral or documentary evidence in support
    of that. It is a well settled law that mere denial of signature on the SANJANA
    KASANA
    cheque without having any material in support of denial, has no
    Digitally signed
    by SANJANA
    KASANA
    CC NO. 201/2022 Page 11 (Sanjana Kasana) Date: 2026.07.21
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD 16:37:37 +0530
    value in the eyes of law. If, accused really denied signature on the
    cheque in question, then what prevented the accused to send the
    cheque to seek expert’s opinion. In the present case, accused did
    not lead any evidence to prove his innocence with respect to
    cheque bearing no. 053748. Also, in the instant case, none of the
    parties has pushed for sending the sample signatures of the
    accused to FSL and they have not placed any document to verify
    signatures of the accused. Though this court is no expert,
    however, on perusing the admitted signatures of the accused on
    cheque bearing no. 000012 which is Ex.CW1/3 with the disputed
    signatures on other cheque bearing no. 053748 Ex. CW1/4, this
    court is of the considered view that the disputed signature do not
    match with admitted signature. Further, accused has stated in his
    notice u/s 251 CR.PC that the cheque bearing no. 053748 got
    misplaced and the complaint regarding the same has been made
    his bank to stop payment.

    21. Therefore, thus the allegations in the complaint
    appear to be bald and vague assertions unsubstantiated by cogent
    evidence in support as far as cheque no. 053748 Ex. CW1/4, is
    considered.

    22. As far as cheque no 000012 which is Ex.CW1/3 is
    considered, accused admitted his signatures on the said cheque in
    question.

    
                                                           SANJANA
                                                           KASANA
                                                           Digitally signed by
                                                           SANJANA KASANA
                                                           Date: 2026.07.21
                                                           16:37:48 +0530
    
    CC NO. 201/2022                 Page 12                (Sanjana Kasana)
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma                     JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD
     APPRECIATION               OF     EVIDENCE            QUA        SECOND
    INGREDIENT                (EXISTENCE               OF            LEGALLY
    

    ENFORCEABLE DEBT/LIABILITY WITH RESPECT TO
    CHEQUE NO. 000012 EX. CW1/3)

    23. The presumptions contemplated in the NI Act are
    rebuttable presumptions and once the same are raised, it is for the
    accused to rebut the same by establishing a probable defence.
    The principles pertaining to the presumptions and the onus of
    proof were recently summarized by the Hon’ble Apex Court in
    Basalingappa vs. Mudibasappa (2019) 5 SCC 418 as under:

    “25.1. Once the execution of cheque is admitted
    Section 139 of the Act mandates a presumption
    that the cheque was for the discharge of any debt
    or other liability.

    25.2. The presumption under Section 139 is a
    rebuttable presumption and the onus is on the
    accused to raise probable defence. The standard
    of proof for rebutting the presumption is that of
    preponderance of probabilities.

    25.3. To rebut the presumption, it is open for the
    accused to rely on evidence led by him or the
    accused can also rely on the materials submitted
    by the complainant in order to raise a probable
    defence. Inference of preponderance of
    probabilities can be drawn not only from the
    materials brought on record by the parties but
    also by reference to the circumstances upon
    which they rely.”

    24. In the instant case for cheque 000012 Ex.CW1/3, the
    complainant seeks to enforce liability upon the accused on the
    ground of having granted a friendly loan of Rs.8.60 lacs, the
    SANJANA
    cheque in question no 000012 Ex.CW1/3. being issued by the
    KASANA
    accused in discharge of the part liability in favour of the
    Digitally signed by
    SANJANA KASANA
    CC NO. 201/2022 Page 13 (Sanjana Kasana) Date: 2026.07.21
    16:37:59 +0530
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD
    complainant. Since a presumption as envisaged u/s 118 and 139
    of the Negotiable Instruments Act is attracted in favour of the
    Complainant as such, it is now incumbent upon the accused to
    rebut the said presumption on the basis of preponderance of
    probabilities.

    25. In order to rebut the same, the accused has stated in
    his notice u/s 251 CrPc that the he had taken loan of Rs.
    8,00,000/- in part payments from complainant. He has further
    stated that he had repaid Rs. 3,93,500/- to the complainant
    through cash and NEFT/RTGS. He has admitted that the cheque
    bearing no. 000012 was given by him for payment of loan
    amount. Further, he has admitted in his statement u/s 313 crpc
    that he had given only one cheque of Rs. 2 lacs and he had
    returned all the money. But in his examination in chief as DW1,
    accused has stated that he had taken loan of Rs. 3,00,000/- and he
    had repaid Rs. 3,17,000/- through online mode and Rs. 2,80,000/-
    in cash. And that he had issued cheque of Rs. 2 lacs as security at
    the time of taking loan. Also, the accused as DW1 in his cross
    examination has stated that he has admitted in his reply to legal
    demand notice (Ex. CW1/3) that he had to return the amount of
    Rs. 4,74,000/- to complainant. However, in order to prove the
    cash payments, the accused has failed to bring any documentary
    or oral evidence buttressing his version. He also failed to bring
    forward any witness to support his version. Further, there are
    material contradictions in the version taken by the accused so far
    as the loan amount and payments are considered. More so, the SANJANA
    KASANA
    accused has admitted the loan amount of Rs. 8,00,000/- in his
    Digitally signed
    by SANJANA
    KASANA
    CC NO. 201/2022 Page 14 (Sanjana Kasana) Date: 2026.07.21
    16:38:10 +0530
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD
    notice u/s 251 Crpc and in his reply to legal demand notice which
    is Ex. CW1/3. The accused has also cross examined the
    complainant as CW1 to the effect wherein the witness has
    remained reliable and trustworthy.

    26. Accused has stated in his notice u/s 251 CrPc that
    the cheque bearing no.000012 bears his signature and other
    details were also written by him. But in his statement u/s 313
    CrPc, accused has denied writing other particulars except his
    signatures. He has further stated in his examination as DW1 that
    the cheque in question was issued as a signed security cheque to
    complainant. The accused has not taken definite stand and his
    version suffers from various inconsistencies.

    27. Further, the accused has failed to place on record on
    any complaint etc. qua the unlawful detention of the cheque in
    question by the complainant. Mere oral averment is not going to
    dispense with the requirement of cogent evidence. Furthermore,
    it is to observe that the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Bir Singh vs.
    Mukesh Kumar
    (2019) 4 SCC 197, has held that “If a signed
    blank cheque is voluntarily presented to a payee, towards some
    payment, the payee may fill up the amount and other particulars.
    This in itself would not invalidate the cheque. The onus would
    still be on the accused to prove that the cheque was not in
    discharge of a debt or liability by adducing evidence.”

    28. Further, a cheque issued as a security in pursuit ofSANJANA
    financial transaction cannot be considered as a worthless piece of KASANA
    paper. It is given to ensure the fulfillment of an obligation Digitally signed by
    SANJANA KASANA
    Date: 2026.07.21
    CC NO. 201/2022 Page 15 (Sanjana Kasana) 16:38:22 +0530
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD
    undertaken. If a cheque issued to secure repayment of a loan
    advanced or payment of a liability and if the same is not repaid
    on or before the due date, the drawee would be entitled to get the
    cheque for payment, and if such a cheque is disordered, the
    consequences contemplated under section 138 NI act would
    follow. Reliance is placed upon Sripati Singh v. State of
    Jharkhand,2021 SCCOnline1002
    .
    Further as to the plea of
    cheque being a security cheque, it was held in ICDS v. Beena
    Shabir & Anr. (2002)6 SCC 426, that security cheque would also
    fall within the purview of section 138 NI Act and a person cannot
    escape is liability unless he proves that the debt or liability for
    which cheque was issued as security is satisfied otherwise.
    Therefore, the present defence of the accused is also misplaced.

    29. Accordingly, it can be concluded that the accused
    has failed to rebut the presumption of law raised against him so
    far as cheque bearing no. 000012 is considered by leading any
    cogent evidence or puncturing holes in the version of the
    complainant and thus, it can be said that the cheque in question
    was issued by the accused in discharge of a legally recoverable
    debt/liability owed by the accused towards the complainant thus,
    the second ingredient to the offence under Section 138 of NI Act
    stands proved. However, for another cheque bearing no. 053748,
    this Court holds that the complainant has failed to prove all the
    ingredients necessary to constitute the offence under section 138
    of NI Act. The accused has succeeded to prove that the cheque SANJANA
    was not given to the complainant in discharge of any existing KASANA
    legal debt or liability. Digitally signed
    by SANJANA
    KASANA
    Date: 2026.07.21
    16:38:33 +0530
    CC NO. 201/2022 Page 16 (Sanjana Kasana)
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD
    CONCLUSION:

    30. To recapitulate the above discussion, the
    complainant has failed to establish his case for cheque bearing
    no. 053748 beyond reasonable doubt with the aid of
    presumptions of law raised in his favor under section 118 and
    139 of the NI Act or by any other evidence. In the result of the
    analysis of the present case, accused Hemant Sharma stands
    acquitted qua cheque bearing no. 053748 of the offence
    punishable under Section 138, Negotiable Instruments Act,
    1881. But the complainant has been successful in establishing his
    case for cheque bearing no. 000012 beyond reasonable doubt
    with the aid of presumptions of law raised in his favor under
    section 118 and 139 of the NI Act or by any other evidence. In
    the result of the analysis of the present case, the accused
    Hemant Sharma stands convicted qua cheque bearing no.
    000012 of the offence punishable under Section 138,
    Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

    31. This judgment contains 17 pages. This judgment has
    been signed and pronounced by the undersigned in open court.
    Copy be given dasti. Accused has right to free legal aid by
    approaching the authority mentioned on the coversheet of the
    Digitally signed
    judgment. SANJANA by SANJANA
    KASANA
    KASANA Date: 2026.07.21
    16:38:44 +0530

    Announced in the open Court (SANJANA KASANA)
    on 21.07.2026 JMFC(NI ACT)
    North East, Kkd Courts,
    Delhi

    CC NO. 201/2022 Page 17 (Sanjana Kasana)
    Manju Saxena vs Hemant Sharma JMFC(NIAct)/NE/KKD



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